Eye of the Tiger (Cnile Mengele's Training)

[Corvis]

Cnile nodded, taking a deep breath as she focused on the instructions. On the surface, they seemed simple enough. Closing her eyes, she noted the sound of the water fall mirroring the still peace that seemed to come over her mind. An unbidden smile crossed her face, surprised that she was able to fill the Force flow around her. No life or death struggle depending on her ability to harness it, she let herself feel the ebbs and falls in the flow.

Compared to how she had touched the Force while fighting, the clarity with which she perceived the world around her was amazing. She searched around her, expanding her awareness and had no trouble finding her master's mind. It was tranquil, at least to her perceptions, but it appeared he was making no effort to hide himself. Focusing on him, her brow creased slightly hesitating for a moment over what to say. Perhaps, an affirmation of reception would be wisest before proceeding.

“Can you hear me now?”

 

[Rev]

A cooling sensation would fill the Jedi Knight's mind. Cnile's words would flow into his mind just as they had from her tongue, only with more mystique in her words now. It was as if a thought had been placed into his mind, but his thoughts heard her; she was quick on learning.

"..You learn quickly.. Or the Force has taken a liking to you.."

He'd smile, but within his mind he was almost out of place to his own well being, lost in thought. Caed's own mind would interweave within Cnile's as they sat in meditation, his own words filling her mind from afar; yet only being inches from her.

"Ossus.. It's a beautiful planet, soo... unique." His thoughts would come with a more powerful presence on unique, almost sending a sudden shock down her spine in his speech. "The Former Grandmaster once showed me something near the waterfall over there..."

His thoughts would place images of the waterfall into his Padawan's mind. He had sensed her interest in it and perhaps showing her something unique of such a place would further her interest in the world.

"...This planet has..long died to me, sadly.. I cannot see it for what it truly is."

His mind fell back to all too many events that led him to where he was today. A boil of anger swelling in his gut only to settle to a calm. He'd inhale a breath of the humid Ossus air before letting out that anger in a puff. It was one of few places he found solitude, he hoped Corvis would too find some peace in subtle times.

"Now you've learned push and pull... Even speed in it's aid with the Force. Do you feel you are ready to ask the Force it's hand in leaping..?"

 

[Corvis]

Cnile smiled as he praised her quick grasp on the concept of telepathy. She felt her body nodding as he projected his thoughts to her, more out of habit than a need to confirm that she was listening. She let her consciousness stretch over the waterfall as he let her know that their was something unique about, attempting to figure out exactly what he was referring to. In her concentration on the waterfall, she missed the momentary flash of inner turmoil that washed off of him.

"Now you've learned push and pull... Even speed in it's aid with the Force. Do you feel you are ready to ask the Force it's hand in leaping..?"

She drew in a sharp breath as he finished, her mind rapidly connecting the dots. She quickly flashed her consciousness between the waterfall and him, before finally setting her awareness back on him, a wry smile crossing her face.

“You're one of those people who teaches a kid to swim by tossing her in the deep end of pool aren't you?” She chuckled slightly, gauging the distance between their cliff side and the bottom of the waterfall. She'd always loved the sensation of flying, and the idea of free falling to the pool below seemed exhilarating, to say the least.

She stood up, struggling to keep her focus as she did, and turned to him. Doing her best to project her confidence, but knew she was likely just radiating nervous excitement.

“Sounds like fun. What do I do?”

 

[Rev]

Caed's sense informed him of his apprentices curiosity. She was as much an adventurer as he had been, it had almost come as a surprise to him that they were much alike having never actually met. Perhaps it was true what they said, the Force acted in mysterious ways. Her pressing the thoughts of the waterfall is what would actually bring them to their next training session.

That invisible fabric that seemed to be joining the two's spirits together would finally break as Caed broke his meditation. Slowly rising to his feet his eyes looked out over the view once more; it truly was breath taking and enough to distract even him. Hearing the shuffling of Cnile his attention was again brought to her training.

"You've learned how to reach out and grasp something, pull it... push it... Now it's time for you to get it to enhance your own abilities... To an almost limitless end."

His eyes focused on the waterfall, it was miles away but still seemed so close. The crash of water against sand and stone was barely audible, but it was more than soothing; almost calming. Taking in a breath the Force around him filled his legs and feet with energy unlike any other. He'd push off the stone and sail through the air, finally coming down on a rocky ledge nearly ten meters away and downward almost another 15. His eyes looked upward at his now "smaller" apprentice. His voice would this time carry outward, echoing off the foliage covered cliff.

"..This requires focus, too much power and you'll plummet to your death.. Not enough and suffer the same fate! May the Force be with you..!"

He'd cross his arms and await his Padawan. He had faith in her abilities but knew the risk of her leaping such a distance on first try. Hopefully she'd make it or he'd have some explaining to do to the Council, something he was sure wouldn't go so well.

 

[Corvis]

Cnile's eyes slowly opened as the connection between them broke, allowing them to ease into adjusting to Ossus's sunlight. She nodded as he explained how to make the leap, watching with supreme interest as he focused his energy and lept from the cliff side, and landed deftly on a far ledge.

She smiled, unlike most things she had done up until now, this she had some experience with. Living back on Coruscant, she had worked as a messenger within the planet wide city to earn some pocket money. Aside from the obvious benefits of exercise and getting a teenage girl some spending money, it had also allowed her to learn the tenets of free-running. Amongst the other messengers she had been known for long distance leaps. Generally she would only add a meter or two onto what most would consider the limits of a human runner.

That was then, though, and she now knew why it was she had been able to make those leaps. Taking a moment to gauge the distance between her current location and her master's ledge, she noted that she had never made a leap of this length before. Let her eyelids half close, focusing on her movement as she broke off in a run on the cliffside. Instead of making a straight leap at the ledge as Caed had done, she ran at a more oblique angle, turning off towards the ledge at the last possible moment and leaping off.

As she did, she envisioned the force lifting her up in the air, and felt herself sailing as she did. She felt a rush of joy as the sensation of the wind whipping by her body engulfed her, comprising her concentration. She took in a sharp breath, refusing to let panic take hold and nudged herself towards the cliff side on which her master's lead was affixed. Pressing her forearm against the cliffside, she willed herself against the wall with the force, using the friction of her forearm against the wall to slow her down as she ran against the wall.

Finally over the ledge she stopped her running motion and allowed herself to slide down onto the ledge. Safe at last, she bent over gasping for air. Bracing her upper body against her knees, she was unsure if the exertion or just panic that had stolen her breath. She looked up at Caed, taking a moment to wipe the sweat from her forehead with the newly tattered right sleeve of her tunic. She frowned, noticing flecks of blood intermingled with the robes dark brown hues.

“Not ideal, but still fun!” she smiled, genuinely happy with the experience, forgetting any form of decorum. She took a few more deep breaths, finally standing up right once more, smile still firmly planted on her face. “Can I try again? Where should I try next?”

 

[Rev]

Ultor's arms crossed as he watched Cnile leap from the cliff, a pit almost forming in the belly of his gut as she took flight. His eyes too narrowed as she made the halfway point, her arm grinding against rock bringing back more memories of his own; Ando Prime... His mind began drifting off remembering the beginning of his fall to the darkside, this planet a constant reminder of it. The patter of feet against stone snapped him back to reality, smirking at her arrival he couldn't help but also notice the wound she'd developed.

"..You react on instinct.."

Reaching out he took her hand, his grasp on it firm but carrying a softness to it. He'd gently rub his fingers over the open flesh, cooling the wound within her mind; it wasn't a Force Heal, but simply a numbing sensation.

"I think you'll survive..."

He gave her an assuring nod after showing her the first smile of their training. Her excitement reminded him again of his youth, only this time of a better time; times with "friends." Looking outward he spotted a series of ledges, the first two dropped downward nearly 10 meters a piece. The final rose back up to the top of the cliff near the falls, a 35 meter jump upward, no easy task. His face would return to that emotionless, almost cold, demeanor before motioning for her to take the lead.

"I'll be right behind you... Prove my thoughts right and your next skill shall be taught."

 

[Corvis]

Cnile craned her neck to look at her arm as Caed numbed it, making a mental note to learn that particular trick later. She returned his smile, slightly rotating her arm as she did, getting used to the numb sensation. She followed his line of sight, noting the series of ledges.

"I'll be right behind you... Prove my thoughts right and your next skill shall be taught."

She nodded and took a deep breath, dropping into a quick sprint before leaping off the edge of their current ledge. She concentrated on willing herself through the air, but using minor nudges to correct her course as she sailed through the air. Nearing the next platform, she pushed down against the ground, slowing herself as she dropped safely onto the ledge, pausing only long enough to take another breath and sprint off of the edge again.

The young girl repeated the same procedure to glide safely to the next platform, where she paused once more looking up final ledge. She was certain she lacked the skill to jump almost ten stories, but the cliff side was somewhat craggy. Gathering her concentration once more, Cnile lept up, kicking off of a small outcropping about seven meters up and propelling herself up to the next. She bounced from one outcropping to the next, until she finally found herself level with the final ledge. Excitement bubbling up within her, she kicked off of the last outcropping harder than she had intended, kicking her heels over her head. A moment of panic overtook her before she used the Force to finish her rotation, inadvertently flipping into her final landing.

She turned about, and smiled nervously at her Master, wondering whether he thought the flip had been foolish showmanship, or if he had spotted it to be a mistake. She leaned up against the outcropping, to watch his approach, she'd likely find out in a few moments.

 

[Rev]

Caed would push off seconds after Cnile. As her feet left the first ledge his would come in contact, two strides and he was prepared to jump just as she had been. Instead his feet pushed off, sending him towards the cliff side instead of the second platform, his eyes following her as he sailed through the air. His feet came in contact with rock and he began to run, pushing off harshly at his third step; just as Cnile lept upward.

His eyes trailed her motion, the flip being as much a flourish as his own wall run. It was at that moment his own feet came down with a soft thud atop the cliff just as she had. His breathing would slowly decrease as his body caught up with itself, it'd been some time since he'd tried such a leap; both deadly and enthralling. Smirking down at the younger girl he gave he a nod.

"Don't let your skills allow arrogance to grow within you, Cey.."

He'd start down a path that seemed to have started right where they had both landed.

"..Impressive, regardless."

He'd lead her into a clearing, the rush of the waterfall was more than audible now as they were forever getting closer to it. His eyes fell to the horizon where the sun began to break it, it was nearly nightfall. With a deep breath he'd fall to his knees, again finding that familiar meditative form; simply waiting.

 

[Corvis]

The Padawan shook the surprised look from her face as she caught the end of her master running across the wall. She nodded in response to his warning against arrogance, and blushed slightly at the compliment that followed, deciding not to let him know it had been a mistake. As he turned to walk up the path, she paused, taking a few more moments to look at the waterfall, mesmerized by the clear water crashing down below.

She broke her concentration as she heard Caed's footsteps grow quieter, jogging fast enough to catch up with him just as he reached the clearing. She took a deep breath of the clear air, noting the aroma of the local flora, once again glad to be away from the stagnate air of the Coruscant undercity. She marveled at the waves of bending grass as the wind sailed over the clearing, slowly making her way over to her Master. Unsure of what to do next, she knelt beside him and waited.

 

[Rev]

His mind reached outward, the Force building an image of everything in his immediate area, even Cnile. She did not glow in any specific way, merely gray though light shined through from that pale color. She was good at heart, but still had much to learn before she was a real Jedi. As the sound filled his ears of her joining him he'd wait for her to kneel beside him before his own words would again fill her ears.

"What do you feel here?"

The question was simple, but held more depth behind it. It was another test whether she'd realize it or not. Her training created the ideals of the Jedi, and his words would better instruct them. With another deep breath his eyes would open up and he'd look to his Padawan.

"...Why are you here, Cnile Mengele?"

 

[Corvis]

"What do you feel here?"

Cnile took a slight breath as she turned the question about in her mind. She'd noted the area had a quiet, almost contemplative state and while that could very well be the answer, she still wondered if it was simply the means by which she would reach the answer. She breath slowly, a smile crossing her face as she heard the sounds of the nocturnal insects beginning to rouse as the chilled night breeze wafted a few strands of hair from her face, prompting a slight shudder of cold from her. Her smiled widened as a thought occurred to her, causing her expand her consciousness, using the Force to sense the clearing and the surrounding treeline.

And within the area, she felt something she had never noticed before, the a web of the Force, woven as it flowed from every creature around them, from the nocturnal insects, to the rodents that preyed on them and the plants and trees they lived in. It woven a web connecting them all to each other, and finally connecting to both her Master and herself. It was the source of the Jedi's power.

As she marveled at the scope and complexity of the Force flowing around her, she struggled with how to express it. Ultimately, she decided she couldn't, but knew she had a much more direct route. Focusing on Caed once again, she sent him the mental image of what she was seeing, accompanied by two words, “It's amazing.”

She slowly drew her awareness back to herself, somewhat overwhelmed by what she had seen. As her awareness slowly sank back withing herself, she slid back out of the meditation stance, sitting comfortably in the tall grass. She glanced over, and caught her Master's gaze.

"...Why are you here, Cnile Mengele?"

She sighed and tilted her head back, focusing on the darkening sky as she spoke, “Honestly, it just seemed like the thing to do.” she paused a moment before deciding the question needed a bit more explanation, “I was actually born a little under seventeen thousand years ago, on Coruscant under Ratakan rule. I grew up there, worked as a courier runner in the city for a few years before my family secured a few spots on a sleeper colony ship.” She stopped for a moment, glancing over to make sure her explanation of her past hadn't completely lost him. “Anyway, the ship failed somehow, leaving us adrift just inside the Tapani sector. A few months back, Jedi patrol stumbled across the ship. Only a fraction of us survived, and we were all offered transport new colony world. On the way there, one of the Knights noticed my sensitivity to the Force, and offered to let him come here to train.”

She sighed for a moment, trying to find the reason she accepted, her voice cracking as she began to speak, “I guess I came along with him because I wanted a place to belong that didn't have constant reminders of old Coruscant. I learned all I could on the way, came here and kept trying to learn more.” She slowly exhaled and then turned to face Caed again, “Anyway, that's why I'm here.”

 

[Rev]

A cool thought pushed its way at the back of his mind as images flickered to life within his meditation. For never doing any of the somewhat advanced training, she was catching on quick. A half smirk would form on Ultor's face as he understood her answer; it would be indescribable to anyone carrying sight.

Then he was hit with an answer he couldn't explain. Caed's mind searched for an answer to this young girls age and found only implausibilities. It was perhaps something he'd dig into in their future, for now was not the time. If she didn't understand her reasoning for being here, never could he.

"...The Jedi are a people whom resolve around Coruscant, if that is what you wish to escape; I fear you've come to the wrong place.."

He offered her a friendly smirk, hoping some of his own short experience in the Universe would guide her.

"I once was a Padawan with... Prestige." His voice accented on the one word. He paused for a moment letting it not just sink in to her, but himself. "I knew not what I wanted, only what my past held.." He again paused only this time for his own thoughts to sink inward, daunting upon him in a barrage of images.

"Your past can destroy you, Cnile... Everything you once knew is gone; lost in some way or another.. The Jedi preach of peace yet rarely defend... It is only recently that we act."

He looked deep into his Padawan's eyes for a moment before continuing.

"The Force is a part of life you must embrace, not simply take on... It can destroy you as it once did me if you let it get out of control.. Now I ask you... what is your reasoning for wishing to becoming a Jedi?"

His words came off powerfully, as more a statement than a question. He wished to know why this girl was here, it wasn't because she had chosen to or by chance. She wanted to be here for more reasons than she allowed her lips to tell... If they were to continue; he'd need to know who she was and why she was here.

 

[Corvis]

Cnile nodded to her master, and frowning slightly when the thought of returning the Coruscant was brought up. It wasn't entirely fair on her part, considering that in the millennia since she'd last seen it the Ratakan had long since left and the planet had changed from a symbol of human oppression to the seat of galactic governance. That line of thought broke, however, as Caed began to talk about his own past for a few moments, leaning in slightly as she listened a bit more intently. She knew so little about he man, though from what little she had managed to piece together, she knew it was an interesting tale to say the least.

"The Force is a part of life you must embrace, not simply take on... It can destroy you as it once did me if you let it get out of control.. Now I ask you... what is your reasoning for wishing to becoming a Jedi?"

She let loose a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding once he had finished, mulling the words over. She knew why she had joined, the galaxy had turned upside down in what, to her, seemed like over night. Going someplace away from every reminder of what had once been helped her to embrace that change. It made it seem more real.

“When I joined the Jedi, it was just a way to find a place in what, to me, is the new order of the galaxy. But now...”

Her voice trailed off. Something had changed in the time since she left the sleeper ship and when she came to Ossus, she had not really thought on it, not until now. Her brow furrowed in concentration as she chased down what it was that drove her now, the thought just out of reach like a Chandrilan Eel slipping through her fingers.

She closed her eyes hard, letting loose a long sigh when suddenly, much like the same eel, it turned around and bit her. Her eyes snapped open, and she started to speak.

“When I was on my way to Ossus, I took some time to read up on what had been happening in the galaxy recently. I spent a good deal of time reading about the Hutt's and their Empire.” she paused, gathering her thoughts. “I guess it kind of resonated with me, I grew up under Ratakan rule. I know what it is to be powerless, and I want to help stop as many people as possible from being in that position.”

She turned her to face him once more, her eyes burned with a righteous fire even as they began tear up, “It's not revenge, and it's not about finding a way to strike back at the Ratakan. They're long gone, and I realize that. It's about being in the best place to help shield people from the worst the galaxy can throw at them.” She blinked, sending a cathartic tear rolling down her cheek. “And that's why I want to become a Jedi.”

 

[Rev]

Caed had tried his best to hold back a soft laugh as she preached of helping others. In his times he had found many could help themselves, they only became too lazy to follow through. The galaxy wasn't quite the "great" place holovids and stories made it out to be. It was dark, ruthless, and gave little care of anyone inside of it. He smiled at Cnile as his laughter came to a halt at long last. A serious look would come over him as he gave the girl what he felt to be the most important advice he had yet.

"Your thoughts and heart is in the right place, my friend.. Yet I must tell you, oppression is a constant whether we step in or let it pass. If it is not the Hutts or Bogan after power of all that we know, then it is the Alsakans... From there the Rakatans as you know and many between the two... We can try to prevent what you have felt; but I fear you will only leave in disappointment at the end..."

Caed was a dark man, broken many would say. This would be a side Cnile would come to learn, this he was all too sure of. In truth he hoped she could cast judgment on those that had put others below them, but something told him there would be a millennia more of enslavement and punishment. Taking in a deep breath he'd offer her a smile, hoping it'd comfort some of the nerves he felt he was sure to hit. His eyes looked skyward at the spread of white that made up various constellations.

"I'd like to show you something... Something very few people know of.."

 

[Corvis]

Cnile's eyes narrowed in confusion as her Master started laughing, noting he was a very mercurial man, not at all what she had expected of a Jedi. She mentally shrugged, it was apparent he wasn't your cookie cutter Jedi, and that was hardly a bad thing. He seemed to know more about the dangers of the dark side than most she had met, and few things evidenced that wisdom more than a particular expression he had. It was an stern look, one that she was quickly learning would preface some form of advice.

She nodded as he spoke, taking the time to digest and mull over the words. She opened her mouth ready to protest that just because evil would never be totally defeated did not mean it should not be fought, but she caught herself. She believed that wasn't want he was trying to say, the true point seemed a bit more slippery. “I shouldn't try to wipe out evil, but merely shield the few that I can from it.” She frowned, it certainly did seem to be a disappointing, if pragmatic viewpoint, but she found it hard to accept. “How can I protect as many as possible without trying to protect everyone?”

She sighed, the dark mood brightening slightly as she caught her master's smile. Those were questions for another time, she reminded herself. For now, she need only focus on learning to use her newfound talent. She followed his eyes, focusing on the stars.

“Oh? What is it?”

 

[Rev]

Caed stood from his position and motioned for her to follow it had been years since he had gone to where he was taking her; but it was something he'd never forget. It allowed for only a trained user of the Force to get to, few techniques needed, but they must be possessed to arrive. It was a place his father would often take his Padawans after training.

"My father... Rev Ultor, he showed me this place when I was just a boy.. Years ago.."

His mind thought about all those years, when his family would be what one would called "happy." He pushed the somewhat demoralizing thoughts aside and looked to Cnile as they approached the top of the cliff where the waterfall ran.

"Down there, you see that ledge... Leap from here, let the Force guide you... Cushion your landing or break your legs.."

He smirked at her and jumped downward himself. With a soft tap his feet came in contact with dry walk and he began a narrow walk against the rock. He'd await her to drop down before going to the next point.

 

[Corvis]

She rose slowly, moving to follow him nodding as he spoke. She took a deep breath, smiling a bit more as she heard the sound of the waterfall growing stronger. As she stopped, she followed his gesture, quickly spotting the the ledge and nodding that she saw it.

“Alright, got it. You first or-”

She caught his smirk as he bounded off the cliffside, answering her question for her. She took a half breath, focusing herself once more, and hopping off the each of the cliff, wrapping herself in the Force to slow her descent. She hit the ledge with a bit more speed than her master, dropping to a knee to rebalance herself. She chuckled lightly, dusting her knee off as she stood back up.

“That's harder than it looks.”

 

[Rev]

Caed would smirk at Cnile, he had always been a cocky person, but blamed it on confidence. As she rose to her feet he'd continue down the narrow path, finally coming to the falling water. With a quick step he was soaked in cold Ossus fresh water, but found himself on the otherside of the towering falls.

"The Force is powerful as you've learned... Use it to reach out, see as you had in the sparring gym. You'll see the darkness of these caves in a new light, a much more unique sight."

The cave would go on for hundreds of feet, the Force only reaching outward to the users ability. Caed could seen tens of feet in front of him before it became dark, he only imagined what the ill-lighted room appeared as to his Padawan. Their journey was only just beginning.

 

[Corvis]

Cnile nodded, following him into the followed him along the path, smiling as she saw him hop throw the falls. Quickly hopping through the water, she savored the crisp freshness of it, far removed from the putrid water than fell to the lower levels of Coruscant during the frequent rainstorms.

As they stepped into the cave, Cnile nodded, slowly expanding her awareness as she had been told. She frowned as she found herself unable to sense the walls of the decidedly large cave. Slightly unsure that she was actually seeing the cave, expanded her awareness a bit further head of her, latching onto her master's presence. Using her Master's presence to act like a guide light, she followed him as she tried to reach out to the edges of the cave, occasionally sensing an outcropping from a wall or a stalactite hanging from the ceiling with just enough warning to dodge around them.

The sight taking up all of her concentration, she followed in silence, making sure to keep up with Caed's pace as best she could.

 

[Rev]

Caed's feet carried him slowly deeper within the cave, and by the sounds of things Cnile was close behind. He'd expand his own signature to her, it glowing outward like a beacon to guide her. His own connection with the Force entwined itself with her own connection, helping in aid her vision; allowing her to see what he saw. The room they'd enter was enormous, an every growing cavern as seen through the Force; an a sight to see. Through the hazy vision hundreds of colors would shine through, mimicking that of the rainbow.

"..Many have spoken of this place, wondered if it has ever existed... Few have ever been in its halls.."

His voice echoed off rock and crystal, his hand reaching outward and calling upon the Force. A light would radiate from his finger, glowing before being sent outward much like a flare; Force Blinding. It was a technique normally used to alter the sight of an enemy through a blinding flash, instead a glowing ball illuminated the larger than life room.

"Your next test begins now.."

His eyes looked over the hundreds of crystals that filled the room. Each a different hue and color than the one next to it, if by only a little. His hand would reach out to show off the room to his Padawan.

"Take one, and more as you need. You begin the creation of your lightsaber, now."